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The Legend of Hercules Family Movie Review

for sequences of intense combat action and violence, and for some sensuality

Genre
Action | Adventure

Director
Renny Harlin

Starring
Kellan Lutz, Gaia Weiss, Scott Adkins

Studio
Millennium Films

Release Date/In Theaters
1/10/2014

The Legend of Hercules Movie Review for Parents

-by Ginger

The Legend of Hercules brings this classical Greek myth to the big screen, but don't think that you can get away with seeing the movie without reading the book. Your teacher will know the difference. This is the story of Hercules who is betrayed by his stepfather, the King. He is exiled and sold into slavery because of his forbidden love of Hebe. He must choose to remain with his true love or to claim his inheritance. This parental guide to the movies thinks that this action-packed legend is an excellent rendition of the original, but it might not be appropriate for all audiences.

The plot of the story takes place in 1,200 B.C., when Zeus seduces a queen and she bears a son who is promised to overthrow the tyrannical ruler and end hardship in the land. Hercules' destiny was written before he was born, but he does not know this. He is consumed with pursuing the love of Hebe, the Princess of Crete. There is only one problem, she is promised to his own brother. I know, this is as confusing as the original, and you thought soap operas were a modern invention. When Hercules learns of his true destiny, he must choose between running away with Hebe and fulfilling his destiny as a hero who saves the land. This is a story of love, strength and sacrifice in epic proportions.

The film was rated PG-13 for the intensity of the action scenes. It also contains some sensual scenes, particularly tender moments between Hercules and Hebe. He does passionately kiss her. In general, sexual scenes take place off camera, but one does hear the sounds. No actual nudity is shown, but sexual activity is mentioned several times throughout. This was not the only problem with considering this a kid's movie.

The film is packed with violence that would be an R rating by MPAA standards, but they did not show blood, which technically fits it in the PG-13 category. The battle scenes are 3D and up close. People die many violent deaths by stabbing, impaling, arrows and by being beaten. The gladiator ring scenes are particularly brutal. It is close to the movie The 300 in this respect. The violence in this movie skirted the rating system. It is apparent that this was a conscious effort on the part of the directors to come close, but not cross the line. Just because the movie does not show any actual blood does not make it appropriate for children.

This movie is an excellent realistic rendition of the original heroic tale, but it is not appropriate for children under the age of 13, certainly not the very youngest members of the family. The difference between the violence in this movie and The 300 is that this one is not a cartoon. It is a live-action film. This movie is too frightening for the children. The movie is filmed so that in some places it looks like the audience is about to be the victim.